About Us

Wadi El Gemal is the third largest national park in the Arabian desert

It was officially declared a national park in 2003. The park covers an area of
approximately 7,000 km2, comprising of 4,770 km2 of land and 2,000 km2 of marine
waters. The desert sea contrast makes this park’s one of Egypt’s gems.

The park’s affluent biodiversity is comprised of plant species such as
Acacia trees, Balanites aegyptiaca, Tamarix aphylla and medicinal plants
like the Anastatica hierochuntica said to be used traditionally for the
treatment of menstrual cramps, asthma, high blood pressure, headaches and
fatigue.

The park hosts large mammals such as the Nubian Ibex, Dorcas Gazelle
and African Wild Ass. Reptiles calling the park their home include the
Jerboa and Horned Viper. Bird species in the park include the Striated
Heron, the Western Reef Heron, the Spoonbill, the Osprey, the
Caspian Tern and several protected falcons such as the Sooty Falcon.

The park is most famous for its crystal clear waters boasting a large
diversity of marine species such as sea turtles, dolphins, dugongs,
sharks, snappers, emperors, goatfish, wrasses, parrotfish,
sturgeonfish, rabbitfish and much more!

Wadi El Gemal is home to the Ababda tribe

Wadi El Gemal is home to about 7,000 indigenous people from the Ababda tribe.
The Ababdas are known to have been at constant war with the Romans. For the
longest time, they served as guides to caravans through the Nubian desert
and up the Nile valley. They are believed to be engaged in telegraphy across
the Arabian Desert till this day. The Ababda are said to have lived in southern
Egypt since 2,500 BC as part of the Beja tribes that also lived in
eastern Sudan, Somalia and Eritrea.

This website is not the official website for Wadi el Gemal National Park and has been developed by the Sustainable Ecotourism Development Project in Wadi el Gemal National Park, co-financed by Gorgonia Beach Resort and Deutsche Investitions- und Entwicklungsgesellschaft (DEG). All photos are the property of their respective owners.